I too will go on record about the Getaway.

I can understand the benefits and attractions of the Hobie Wave, but this doesn't extent to the Hobie Getaway.

It is HEAVY : 390 lbs = 177 kg (were typical 16 foot beach cats are 140-150 kg)
It has quite alot of sail area = 180 sq. ft. (More then typical 16 beach cats like Nacra 500, Prindle 16 etc)
And that beam in front (under the jib bridles) is a pitchpole waiting to happen if ever it hits the water surface or catches a wave.
The mast has no diamond wires and has to be relatively heavy to keep teh 180 sq. ft.up. (less ease of righting ?)

Even if it is easier to right then a TheMightyHobie18 with the help of the wind that still makes it a PITA to right. The Hobie 18 was never an easy boat to right in my book and as Mary has written earlier if you flip it in little wind you'll be working hard to right it. In that book it is no different to say the Hobie 16 and it is harder to right then the Nacra 500 and several other glass beach cats of the same 16 foot (5.05 mtr) length.

While the Wave fills a nice niche the Getaway is nothing more then an inferiour 16 foot beach cat with beer coolers and rotomoulded hulls that are abuse resistant.

When put side by side with say a Nacra 500 the Getaway pretty much looses on all points. As such I really don't understand its attractiveness, but that may just be me.

Wouter